The Southwestern Teacher Education Preparation
The STEP program provides guidance to future teachers so that they can establish individual educational goals, focused instruction in the subject matter they will eventually teach, actual classroom experience at every level of their college education, and a connection to further study at the university level and school districts where they will eventually teach. For more information on the web click on (http://www2.swccd.edu/~step) or contact Randy Beach at (619) 421-6700 ext. 5189 step@swccd.edu ; or Bea Zamora at (619) 421-6700 x5392, bzamora@swccd.edu

The Puente Project
The Puente Program is designed to increase the number of educationally underserved students who plan to earn a college degree, enroll in four-year colleges and universities, and return to their community as mentors and leaders to future generations. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed in college, but not everyone has access to all the tools that can help make college success a reality. For over 20 years, the Puente Project’s innovative combination of accelerated writing instruction, intensive academic counseling, and mentoring by members of the professional community has helped thousands of students achieve the college success they deserve. Students enrolled in the Puente Program at Southwestern Community College take a rigorous two course English class sequence from a Puente-trained instructor; work closely with a Puente-trained counselor to prepare an academic plan and stay focused on their goals; and meet regularly with a mentor from the professional community. For more information on the Puente Program, contact Cecilia Medina at (619) 421-6700 x5803, cmedina@swccd.edu; or Kathy Parrish at (619) 421-6700 x5548, kparrish@swccd.edu.

Spanish Proficiency Certificate Program
In today's marketplace, the ability to read, write and interact in Spanish is a highly valuable skill. The Spanish Proficiency Certificate coursework is designed to prepare students to successfully and professionally function within a bilingual and biliterate marketplace.  The program consists of 13 units. For more information, please contact Esther Alonso at (619) 421-6700 ext. 5724, ealonso@swccd.edu.

Certificate courses:

Take TWO of the following classes:
SPAN 215 Spanish for Bilinguals I
SPAN 216 Spanish for Bilinguals II
SPAN 221 Introduction to Literature for Bilinguals

Take ONE of the following courses:
BUS 225 Interpretation/translation for General Business
BUS 226 Interpretation/translation: Legal
BUS 227 Interpretation/translation: Medical
BUS 233 Interpretation/translation: Inmigration
BUS 234 Advanced Interpretation/translation: Legal
BUS 257 InternationalBusiness and Legal Communication: Spanish